Yes, back to work for me tomorrow too. At least this weekend’s warm sun should recharge my batteries a bit, but not quite the same as a break at the coast in Australia…Jealous, me?!

Today the plan is to get a load of seeds sown…Cabbage, squash, lettuce, kale, cucumber, courgette, leek, spinach and chard. I haven’t got my polytunnel beds ready yet for direct sowing of carrots and beetroot, but I might try and get at least one bed prepared today…If my back allows. My spuds are chitting, and I have got their plot dug over. The main veg plot remains undug as yet, but I don’t need it for another few weeks, and I’m hoping the back elves will fix me in time to get it ready. My tomatoes and chillies are germinating, and OH has washed down my glasshouse in readiness for me 😁

Have a good day/ night all.

Things like that irritate me immensely and I cannot see the point of running a restaurant if you don’t want to produce good food especially in the current climate as restaurants are going belly up on a daily basis.

I’ve had my share of poor meals over the years and it is always especially disappointing when I know I could have done better myself.
There are so many places to eat here that competition is stiff so a bad meal is rare but it happens from time to time and the offending eaterie is given a wide berth forever after.

You are making me very jealous talking about sowing seeds and preparing vegetable beds. I miss the excitement of doing such things and standing there surveying my work and thinking about all the fantastic veg that will be appearing over the coming months.

So pleased there was a mature resolution, RT. Family is the most important thing, why would we let divisions happen? Life’s too short. 🙂

Peace indeed.

Ha Nama 😊
I had the opposite reaction…as soon as I arrived home to reality I wanted to go back to the peace of my seaside idyll. I too enjoyed the food too much, despite IF, but the warm ocean swims and long runs on the beaches must count for something.
Well done to your family on finally settling matters RT. I hope the long fast euphoria is bringing you some peace now.
P

Great result, RT. 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Purple, why not live there more often? When I see how short life is, and how abitrary things happen to people, I think it’s a good idea to follow our dreams, once we have met our obligations. 💃💃💃

Cheers, Bay 🌺🌺💐💐🌹🌹🌸🌸

Why Bowls is better than Sex
#10… A below par performance is considered damn good.
#09… You can stop in the middle and have a sandwich and a couple of beers.
#08… The objective is to touch the kitty.
#07… Foursomes are encouraged.
#06… You can still make money doing it as a senior.
#05… Three times a day is definitely possible.
#04… Your partner doesn’t hire a lawyer if you play with someone else.
#03… If you live in Queensland, you can do it almost every day.
#02… You don’t have to cuddle with your partner when you’re finished.
And the NUMBER ONE reason why bowls is better than sex…..
#01… When your equipment gets old you can replace it!

Have a Happy Weekend Fast Friends.
Peace RT

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the Friday Funnies RT 🙂

I’ve been watching (and worrying about)the Australian weather very closely this week as my friends daughter and her fiance both live and work on Daydream Island.
Thankfully they are both safe and sound.

Where has the week gone………

Have a good weekend everybody 😜

Morning/evening all,

Overcast but mild here and I was up with the lark and in the supermarket at 8am!

I’m now planning what to do with my weekend and the major event will be what I’m going to cook. The Vegetarian Lent Experiment 😉 has been a revelation and after going round in circles for such a long time and ending up 12lbs heavier than my lowest, I’ve lost 5lbs and am feeling so much happier knowing that I’m truly back on track.

I had fish on Monday when out for dinner as the vegetarian option contained fennel 😖 and used some oyster sauce in my veg stir fry the other day without thinking, but as it is about trying different sources of protein and new recipes, I think I’ll forgive myself 😎

I’ve now got lots of lovely English grown veggies in the rack so I’m thinking roasted roots with cauliflower purée and steamed kale this evening and tomorrow I’ll make dhal and a mixed veg curry which I’ll calorie count so I can have the leftovers on FDs.

I’m going away for a few days at Easter to stay with elderly relatives who I’ve not seen for a few years. That means the breaking of my veggie Lent will come early and I’ll have no control over what I’m offered. The good thing is that are both in their 80s and neither of them have ever been an ounce overweight so it won’t be enormous portions 🙂

Happy, I read the Maintenance thread regularly, and I’m sorry to hear you are still having issues with your back. I hope it gets better soon. Someone else on there mentioned massage and I have a friend who had a really serious back problem 20 years ago and she now has a massage once a month and swears it helps keep her back in good shape so maybe that is worth considering once you recover from this episode.

Have a good one everybody 😜

I understand what you mean about being scared to do anything to make it worse.
My back was sore after every session at the gym until I realised I wasn’t doing enough of the right kind of exercise. I’ve been working hard on core strength for the past couple of months, including the exercises into my gym routine and it is definitely working as my abs have stopped screaming 😉 and I’ve noticed an increase (albeit small) in flexibility, plus no soreness or stiffness after working out. There’s a long way to go but things are moving in the right direction.

AJs chilli is my current no 1 recipe. I could have it every day. I eat a portion of it with a spoonful of yoghurt on FDs and on non FDs I add guacamole, grated cheese and the occasional flatbread. It is tasty, filling, comforting and most importantly healthy 🙂

I like her burgers but am having real problems cooking them without them sticking despite using non stick parchment oiled/buttered.

I am especially pleased with my weight loss as I’ve eaten more non veg carbs since Shrove Tuesday than for a very long time. There have also been a couple of really OTT days when I’ve eaten far too much to deserve to lose any weight. The day after the first one was when I got on the scales to discover 3 lbs had gone!

The workings of the body are a mystery 🙄

Greetings, all. I am having a day of leisure today, in exchange for working last Friday, and completing (nearly) the end-of-financial year rush then. A little bit of on-line shopping, which isn’t my usual method, a bit of bookkeeping, a good book and maybe some television.

It’s a FD, but have had eggs and avocado for lunch so am not being as strict as usual. Calories will still be low, as Monday is soup day.

I looked up Chef AJ, and are planning to use her chili recipe. Teamed with nachos and sour cream, it will be enough to make any family member happy. And it will be an insidious way of introducing another vegetarian meal into the culinary repertoire.

It’s April, Jo. Where are you?

And any improvement with that back, Happy?

Hi all,

Well it is just as well that Purple and RT are fasting, I too succumbed and decided to postpone Mondays fast till Tuesday! My friend who left her mean husband after 44 years has finally come out of her shell and is shaking off the hold he had over her. She is flying back to see her family in Bristol and the Isle of Wight this Sat so we had a farewell brunch this morning. And guess what I chose (before reading any posts on here) – poached eggs with avocado!! But I went one step further, this cafe also serves a generous helping of persian fetta alongside – so yum! Sorry Purple, your turn will come tomorrow when I am having a virtual lunch! It was actually too heavy for me so early in the day, I think my tum has gotten used to eating much later… I enjoyed it at the time but felt a bit yuck afterwards!

Amazon well done on losing those pounds!! Your persistence is paying off. I wonder how you will feel about meat at the end of Lent?

Happy I am another one who subscribes to the power of a good massage – as long as the practitioner is skilled. Since having a monthly ‘remedial’ massage, I have hardly needed to see the usual chiropractor. I always feels a bit self indulgent, but justify it as ‘remedial’!! I hope your back is much better, you are too young to be in pain.

Gardening now, we are having some glorious autumn weather at last and I have some jobs lined up…..

Two eggs, fried in butter, P. Then half an avo sliced on top. Yum. Didn’t think of feta.

I’m not calling it succumbing, Nama, rather spreading (and slightly increasing the calories, a la MM recently) on a cold, wet day without the distraction of being at work. And I don’t have any miso soup at home for the midday salt hit. Debbie is making her approach.

Jo had announced she was signing off for the rest of last month, but she’s late back. Search party required?

Sorry to hear about the sore foot Wi. That’s fascinating that a 24 hr fast helps. Amazing!
5pm here…I can really visualize dinner now. I’ve resorted to a ski jacket to keep warm. Snow is predicted on the alps tonight!!! Keep warm Bay. P

Not sure about the milk kefir grains, Jo, as I would be the only one in the house to eat the result. Let me think on it. Welcome back.

Hi Fast Trackers
Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
That’s a solid effort Wiwi fantastic I do a 4 day fast four times a year and find them empowering I won’t bang on about too much but in my opinion the longer it goes the easier it becomes which is fantastic. Amazon Jojo Happy Nama Purple Barata Bay and to the lurkers yes you guys have a groovy day poached this article from another forum but sharing is caring right 😉
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/diagnosis-diet/201609/preventing-alzheimer-s-disease-is-easier-you-think

“It’s is easier to avoid eating than to stop eating once started”

Peace RT

Hey all

New faster here just saying hello any tips, tricks are welcome.Rice is my weakness.

Jo, “I hope your Autumn is mild and there is less catastrophes with the weather. Just a little rain, no more flooding or storms.”

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/91173533/Warning-of-heavy-rain-spreads-as-remnants-of-Cyclone-Debbie-take-aim

Hello,
I am back!
Visiting my family is priceless. We had a great time and the weather was warm with some late summer showers.
Next time hubby comes along I need to travel with him. There’s so much sight seeing, cows and whatever in a land to big and everything far apart. He was bored the last days. Not my fault 😡
We arrived in Miami at 4am today then we rented a car to get back home. I am exhausted.
Could manage food shopping and laundry.
My sister in law arrives tomorrow. I need to get my act together and back to my Fast.
Happy glad to hear you are feeling better.
Looks like the vegetarian WOL is showing results. Congrats to you Amazon! You have delicious recipes even I would have no problem sticking with vegetables for a month.
Good job on your competition Jo.
Another post I’ll tell you about my pains… I am very tired.
Xoxo

Go Wiwi! Dodge those raindrops 🙂 Let me know when you can spare a few minutes for me on a Friday. I have never attempted more than 5:2 (24-hour fast), so really admire those who do.

I have just emptied 50mm from the rain gauge, ready for the deluge.

Stay well, HCB.

Morning/evening all,

Happy, good to hear your back is getting better, and Wiwi I hope your foor continues to improve. Weekly three day water fasts sounds a bit drastic to me, are you sure? I read an article about fasting at the weekend regarding the health benefits of IF and it advised against such fasts which I found interesting and am not sure how long a water fast would need to be before the body starts to break down its own proteins when there is a ready supply of fat, but maybe breaking down protein is easier?

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/apr/02/is-fasting-a-free-health-fix-or-just-a-fad-dieting-science-ketagenic-michael-mosley-diabetes-ms

Jo, I think the kettlebell craze was started by people who were already very fit and I’m wondering if their very toned and strong bodies naturally adopted a safe posture and the fact that beginners and the less fit wouldn’t do similar was overlooked.

Another FD for me and I’m off to the gym this morning.

Have a good one everybody 😜

Hi HCB,

MM has suggested that 700/800 calories would work for those finding 500/600 too tough. We all know that’ll work but weight loss will be a bit slower.
It is an excellent idea if it gets more people making an effort to lose weight and sticking to it but for those of us who are already used to 500/600 it probably isn’t worth thinking about.
Although it might make us feel better if we overdo it a little on FDs.
Good to hear that you aren’t depressed by a weight gain. You’ll soon be back into your fasting routine 🙂

I am really tired after a long, hard workout. I’m trying to push myelf a bit and go faster for longer on the cardio equipment. I managed 15 minutes on the cross trainer this morning which made me very happy as I don’t like it very much and have avoided using it until a couple of weeks ago.
I think my improved fitness has made it easier to use so I’ll incorporate it into my workout from now on.

I also had a 15 minute swim in a near empty pool. The whole place was quiet due to Easter holidays which is fine by me 😎

I’m very hungry today but determined to stick to my FD especially as I’m going out for lunch tomorrow.

the BSD of 800 cal for 12 weeks that was last years new thing how many continued on with that? Its my view that on balance its still the fasting that is the big hammer here so whilst calorie counting slash restriction is a factor and TDEE on non fast days “the less you eat the more you lose”
and
“It’s is easier to avoid eating than to stop eating once started”
Are still my best.
Thursday lets get our fast on.
some light reading here
http://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2016/09/20/easy-health-hack-late-breakfast-michael-mosleys-secret-weapon
Enjoy
Peace RT

Hello,
RT Thanks for the link! MM eats quite a lot on his FD. Mediterranean WOL is my favorite. I should practice more recipes from that side of the world. Olive oil, seeds is on my menu.
Too hot is not funny! Since Monday the mercury is up to 94… The weatherman says that the next couple days should be a little lower. Also we need rain badly. Our grass looks burnt.
I am waiting for a day when my sister in law is not around so I can Fast. So far, IF is working and yes turning my head away for certain things as all pastas, bread and too many glasses of vino this week.
Have a good one Folks 🌺